Early Head Start is a free federal program for pregnant people and children from birth to age 3 in low-income families. Run by the Office of Head Start, part of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), it provides early learning, health screenings, and family support, with no tuition for families who qualify.
Sources used: Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Early Head Start program facts and performance standards 2024; Office of Child Care, ACF, program comparisons 2024; NAEYC (the National Association for the Education of Young Children), infant and toddler care guidance 2024.
What does Early Head Start actually do?
Early Head Start brings the Head Start model to the youngest children. The Office of Head Start describes it as a comprehensive program for infants, toddlers, and expectant families that pairs early learning with health and developmental screenings, nutrition support, and services for the whole family. For pregnant people, it also offers prenatal and postpartum support. The focus is healthy development in the first three years.
- Birth-to-three focus
- Serves pregnant people and children under age 3, the window the Office of Head Start treats as foundational for development.
- Multiple delivery models
- Care can be center-based, delivered through home visits, or a mix, depending on the local program.
- Connected to Head Start
- Around age 3, families typically transition into Head Start so support continues without a gap.
Who qualifies for Early Head Start?
Eligibility mirrors Head Start. Early Head Start primarily serves pregnant people and children under 3 from families at or below the federal poverty guidelines, per the Office of Head Start. Children in foster care, families experiencing homelessness, and families receiving certain public assistance are categorically eligible. Programs reserve at least ten percent of enrollment for children with disabilities.
| Program | Ages served | Cost |
|---|
| Early Head Start | Pregnant people and children birth to 3 | Free if eligible |
| Head Start | Children ages 3 to 5 | Free if eligible |
| Typical infant daycare | 6 weeks to ~18 months | Paid; varies by state and city |
Source: Office of Head Start, ACF, eligibility and program comparisons 2024.
How is it different from infant daycare?
Early Head Start is a development program, not a paid child care service. Infant and toddler daycare is open to any family and charges tuition that varies widely by state and city, per BLS and state market-rate data. Early Head Start is free but eligibility-based, follows federal performance standards, and adds health and family services, per the Office of Child Care. Some programs run full-day; others are part-day or home-based.
Because slots for infants and toddlers are scarce nationwide, many eligible families do not get a seat right away. Some pair Early Head Start with a daycare or a relative's care to cover working hours, the same way families combine Head Start with daycare for older children.
Honest tradeoff. Early Head Start is a strong, free resource, but supply is the hard limit. There are far fewer infant-toddler slots than eligible families, so a waitlist is common even when you clearly qualify. Apply early, ask where you stand on the list, and keep a backup care plan in place while you wait.
How do I apply for Early Head Start?
Apply directly to a local Early Head Start program using the federal Head Start locator, per the Office of Head Start. There is no single national application. Bring proof of income, your child's age or your due date, and any documentation of categorical eligibility, such as foster care or public assistance. Because infant and toddler seats are limited, apply as early in pregnancy or your child's first months as you can.
If your child is older, the next step up is Head Start. Our guide to what Head Start is covers ages 3 to 5. To compare paid options and funding, see how daycare subsidies work, our how to choose a daycare pillar, and the daycare cost calculator.